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Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor decreases side effects of cancer treatment
Following radiotherapy or chemotherapy, the white blood cell count in cancer patients may drop dramatically, putting them at great risk to contract life-threatening infections. Traditionally, these patients are given preventive antibiotics; alternatively, therapy is delayed or dosis reduced. Genetic engineering now offers a better alternative.
Blood contains minute quantities of proteins called growth factors. One of these is granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which stimultates the production and activity of white blood cells/granulocytes and macrophages. The companies Sandoz (now Novartis) and Schering Plough jointly developed recombinant GM-CSF, produced in the bacterium Escherichia coli. This bacterium can be grown easily and produces large quantities of the recombinant growth factor. Clinical studies have shown that this genetically engineered product reduces cancer treatment related side effects and allows patients to receive full doses or higher doses of chemotherapy. It also holds great promise for other clinical applications.